Lights ... Camera ...

and plenty of action at the 10th annual CineVegas film festival, which kicked off Thursday night here in the valley of sin. It's probably my favorite local event of the year, because we don't really have an art-house theater the likes of the Lagoon or Uptown back in the Twin Cities, so it's my only chance to see movies that don't feature Ashton Kutcher or an explosion every three minutes. Or, as in the case of Strangers With Candy two years ago and Oceans 13 last year, we get a sneak preview of movies that will be released nationally later in the summer.

We've seen three movies so far -- here's a quick recap:

The Rocker -- Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute of "The Office") sort of takes on the Jack Black "School of Rock" role, in that he helms a group of precocious musical prodigies, except here they're teenagers playing in a straight-up rock band. Wilson's character (Fish) was a drummer for an 80s hair band that kicked him out just before they surged to international stardom. Fish broods about his dashed dreams for 20 years before his nephew asks him to fill in on the skins for his band's first gig. Hilarity ensues.

And lots of hilarity. It's a brilliant sendup of 80s hair metal and the music industry. SNL's Jason Sudekis is fantastic as a slimy label rep, and the kids more than hold their own. But this is Wilson's show, and he's dynamite as the dinosaur drummer stuck in the 80s who embraces (literally, and sweatily, as you'll see) his second chance to live out the rock star lifestyle. (National release: August 1) The Verdict: 4 stars (out of 5)

Big Heart City -- An ex-con returns to the real world after six months in the can, only to find that his pregnant girlfriend has gone missing. Did she leave on her own, or has something terrible happened to her? That's the basic plot summary, but it's not nearly as suspenseful as it sounds. The movie is basically a look into the psyche of the main character, who seems to be living in his own little dreamland. By the end of the film, you wonder if that's literally what was happening. The Verdict: 2.5 stars

Your Name Here -- This one was a real mindf--k. Bill Pullman stars as a sci-fi author (loosely based on Phillip K. Dick) who in the process of completing his masterpiece snorts a little speed and blacks out. When he wakes up, he finds himself trapped inside some kind of alternate reality that mirrors the twisted, conspiracy-filled world of his novels.

Visually, it's a treat -- it's set in 1974, so you get plenty of sweet disco-era duds and hair, as well as a strong dose of Nixonian paranoia. Pullman is brilliant in a role that pushes him beyond the affable supporting roles that he typically plays. The plot is likely too confusing challenging to appeal to a broad audience, but those of you who like a movie that makes you think -- or allows you to get out of the way and let the plot and characters just wash over you and carry you away -- will get a kick out of this. Pullman's performance alone is worth the price of admission. The Verdict: 3.5 stars.

After the last movie, we checked out the CineVegas 10th anniversary party, poolside at the new Palms condo tower. Decent crowd -- saw Pullman and his wife, as well as the star of Big Heart City. But the big buzz was the presence of one Britney Spears, who was holed up in a cabana with three beefy security guards keeping the crowd at arm's length. In the one glimpse of La Spears that I got, she looked healthy, sober, and appropriately attired. So, there's that.